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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Handwriting Deciphering & Recognition => Topic started by: andygmandrew on Sunday 12 December 21 10:14 GMT (UK)

Title: Can anyone help with this contraction?
Post by: andygmandrew on Sunday 12 December 21 10:14 GMT (UK)
I am transcribing a parish register from 1698 and have come across a word with a contraction mark in it, it's 'p[mark]man. I wonder if anyone can help me with this.
Title: Re: Can anyone help with this contraction?
Post by: Bookbox on Sunday 12 December 21 10:42 GMT (UK)
At a guess, it could be p[oo]r man. But I would want to look more widely at the register for anything similar, and compare how this particular clerk abbreviates other words.

Is it online? Which parish is it?
Title: Re: Can anyone help with this contraction?
Post by: andygmandrew on Sunday 12 December 21 10:45 GMT (UK)
I think that's a good guess. It isn't online, it's the parish of Alnwick in Northumberland. There are very many entries with 'a poor man' but they are all written out in full.
Title: Re: Can anyone help with this contraction?
Post by: Crumblie on Sunday 12 December 21 10:47 GMT (UK)
Perhaps it is L for ploughman but I am not sure ploughs were around then.
Title: Re: Can anyone help with this contraction?
Post by: Rena on Sunday 12 December 21 15:43 GMT (UK)
could the occupation be:

Pman = Paling man? = eel seller

Alnwick - have a look at the massive eels they catch in their river!

Alternatively:  "Packman" = travelling salesman.
Title: Re: Can anyone help with this contraction?
Post by: Skoosh on Sunday 12 December 21 16:32 GMT (UK)
How about a "Pieman!" :D

Skoosh.
Title: Re: Can anyone help with this contraction?
Post by: Gadget on Sunday 12 December 21 16:56 GMT (UK)
Is there any chance of seeing a few more entries to compare contractions.

At the moment i'm thinking of Packman (Pkman)  or an outside possible of Pitman (Ptman)

Add - have you found any other children for him?
Title: Re: Can anyone help with this contraction?
Post by: Guy Etchells on Sunday 12 December 21 17:01 GMT (UK)
Quote from: Crumblie on Sunday 12 December 21 10:47 GMT (UK)
Perhaps it is L for ploughman but I am not sure ploughs were around then.
I agree ploughman and yes ploughs were definitely in use at that time
Cheers
Guy
Title: Re: Can anyone help with this contraction?
Post by: Billyblue on Sunday 26 December 21 10:24 GMT (UK)
What about postman?

Dawn M